Princeton Atelier - Environmental Documentary & Music Theater

Theater director Steve Cosson and composer/lyricist Michael Friedman will lead an Atelier on investigative and musical theater. They will develop a new project, The Great Immensity, through a network of collaborative partnerships with scholars and researchers at the Princeton Environmental Institute as well as with directors, writers, actors, designers, choreographers and composers, and Atelier students. The Great Immensity tackles the monumental topic of the environment and our planet's future, exploring themes of climate change, deforestation, and extinction by using interviews with researchers working in these areas.

Sample reading list:
See instructor for complete list

Reading/Writing assignments:
Students will assist the development of The Great Immensity. Depending on the strengths, interests, and academic focus, students will participate in script development, assistant directing, design, development of music and lyrics, as well as scientific research into topics explored in the play. Acting students will have a chance to perform alongside professional actors. Students will participate in writing and performance exercises and learn The Civilians' creative methodology.

Requirements/Grading:
Paper in lieu of Final - 20%
Other (See Instructor) - 80%

Prerequisites and Restrictions:
Students with backgrounds and interests in areas listed above are encouraged to apply. We are especially interested in encouraging students who also have interests in environmental sciences, sociology, and economics as well as composers and musicians to apply. Applications available online at: http://www.princeton.edu/arts/arts_at_princeton/princeton_atelier. For more information, contact goellner@princeton.edu. Interviews will be held on December 3 and 4..

Other information:
Steve Cosson is the Artistic Director of the acclaimed theater company, The Civilians. He has directed at major theaters in the U.S. and been a Fulbright scholar and MacDowell fellow. His plays have been published in the U.K. and U.S. Michael Friedman is an Associate Artist and composer/lyricist for the Civilians. He has composed music for theater, film and TV in the U.S. and U.K. He is a recipient of the MacDowell and Princteon University Hodder Fellowships.